Magnetic anisotropy in two-orbital models

Abstract

Motivated by the recent first-principle discovery of giant perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) in Fe/III–V nitride thin films, we theoretically study magnetic crystalline anisotropy(MCA) in a series of lattices with trigonal symmetry. Due to the trigonal crystal field, MCA in these lattices is dominated by first-order perturbation of the spin–orbit coupling (SOC) in the atomic limit, instead of second-order in conventional transition metal materials. In particular, the proportionality between MCA and SOC is robust in Kagome and pyrochlore lattices due to the flat bands therein. While in triangle lattice the second-order relation is restored under the bandwidth effect. These findings give rise to a new understanding of magnetic anisotropy and provide a guide for the future hunting of high PMA materials.